Spotlight on Sources:
Welcome to Renzulli Learning’s Spotlight on Sources, some of our most engaging resources to excite and inspire your students!
Have you ever thought about teaching your curriculum with videos and podcasts? Renzulli Learning has tons of topics that you can use to change up your current lessons.
This week we have gathered our favorite Videos and Podcasts in Renzulli Learning to entertain and educate during the dreary month of February! Explore birds across the United States of America, learn how hurricanes form, or learn a new skill like watercolor painting! The possibilities are endless!
Check out a few of our favorite activities below!
To locate these activities within Renzulli Learning you can SEARCH Enrichment Activities and type in the title of the activity you would like to locate. For more ideas to infuse enrichment activities with your curriculum, please visit the Unit Supplements on the Teacher Site, under “Teach.” We can also link these enrichment resources to your regular curriculum if you send us a theme or topic.
K-2
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Why Do Lions Roar?
Science
Do you know...Why lions roar? Why crickets chirp? Why bucks shed their antlers every year? How can porcupines and hedgehogs avoid poking themselves? Do fish pee? What is the fastest fish? What do jellyfish eat?
50 Birds 50 States: Episode 1 - New York
Science
Barry the bald eagle flies to the birthplace of hip-hop: New York State. MC Blue the eastern bluebird shows Barry around New York City, which is the United States' largest city. From there they tour many places in the Empire State, from Niagara Falls to the Atlantic Coast. Looking for information on other states? Just search 50 Birds 50 States to see what you can find!
Be A Good Friend
Social Action
Think of a time when you needed a friend. Someone who's just there for you. You can be that friend. Check out this video from Go Noodle on how to be a Good Friend!
3-5
Fine Arts
Learn how to paint a landscape (sunset or sunrise). It may look challenging, but it’s a lot easier than it looks! This technique is perfect for young artists! You’ll need a permanent marker, watercolor paper, watercolors, water, and a paintbrush.
VPR But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: How Do Hurricanes Form?
Science
In this episode we answer questions from kids who have been hearing the news and wondering: How do hurricanes form? Why do hurricanes strike Florida? Why do hurricanes have names? We speak with atmospheric scientist Shuyi Chen of the University of Washington.
Clarify Purpose Versus Point of View Versus Perspective
Writing
Students often confuse three P words…purpose, point of view, and perspective. This misunderstanding is perpetuated when assessments and resources interchange these terms. Watch this video and explore the terms to better understand purpose, point of view and perspective.
6-9
Science
Every year, millions of asteroids and comets or ''stray bullets'' streak through the skies, and tons of small meteorites strike our planet! Some 65 million years ago, dinosaurs were wiped off the face of the earth, in what many believe was the aftermath of a massive cosmic collision. Could something like this happen again? Scientists believe that the impact of an asteroid only a mile wide would be globally catastrophic. Join extraordinary geologist Eugene Shoemaker and his wife Carolyn who have remapped the heavens with their discoveries of more than 30 comets and hundreds of asteroids. Now that we know what's out there, how can we defend ourselves?
Social Studies
More than 120,000 Japanese Americans were interned behind barbed wire during World War II.....over half were children. The Children of the Camps documentary captures the experiences of six Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined as innocent children to internment camps by the U.S. government during World War II. The film vividly portrays their personal journey to heal the deep wounds they suffered from this experience.
Science
Former astronaut Mike Massimino describes how ants help clean the streets of New York City by eating our discarded food scraps in this deleted scene from National Geographic's One Strange Rock.
10-12
Social Studies
Katie Couric and Bryan Stevenson, Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, discuss the history and significance of confederate monuments and memorials, and why to many they represent a painful and powerful reminder of America’s past.
Social Studies
World War II saw the introduction of a host of new weapons, and many existing ones went through several generations of development in just a few years. The Germans, in particular, were exceptionally prolific and effective at creating advanced killing machines. And perhaps none was more impressive than the Tiger tank. Mercifully, like many other advanced Nazi weapons, it was introduced too late in the war to turn the tide to Hitler's favor. Take a look at one of Hitler's failed inventions, though powerful, could not turn the tide of war.
Social Studies
Today, we're going to wrap up our discussion of economic policy by looking at government regulation. We're going to talk about the government's goals for the U.S. economy and the policies it employs to achieve those goals. Ever since the New Deal, we've seen an increased role of the government within the economy - even with the deregulation initiatives of President Carter and Reagan in the 80's.
Thanks for being a part of the Renzulli Learning family and we hope you find these resources helpful.
Your Renzulli Learning Team